Wood snipe

The wood snipe is a captivating bird native to the Himalayas, spanning northern India, Nepal, Bhutan, and southern China. During the winter months, it can often be found at lower altitudes in the Himalayas and, on rare occasions, in Vietnam. Additionally, it has been known to wander as far afield as central and southern India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, northern Thailand, and Laos.

This bird is notable for its dark plumage and measures approximately 28–32 centimeters in length. It features a distinctive short, broad-based bill. Wood snipes breed in alpine meadows at high altitudes, above 3,000 meters, but migrate to lower elevations as winter approaches.

Regrettably, the wood snipe is classified as vulnerable, with fewer than 10,000 individuals remaining. The primary threats to its survival include habitat loss and hunting. Nonetheless, there is some hope, as these birds have been observed in protected areas such as Langtang and Sagarmatha National Parks in Nepal.